RKVY-RAFTAAR Scheme Student Agripreneurs – SIIC IIT Kanpur
Under RKVY-RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation) by SIIC IIT Kanpur
Check your eligibility
Sign up and we'll tell you whether your startup qualifies for this grant.
Quick Answer
Up to ₹4L grant + IIT Kanpur incubation for student agripreneurs with early-stage agritech ideas.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹4 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- SIIC IIT Kanpur
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 25 May 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by SIIC IIT Kanpur. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India, aimed at fostering innovation-driven growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Under this scheme, the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST) at IIT Kanpur, through its Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), is serving as a Knowledge Partner and inviting applications from student agripreneurs.
This cohort will support four selected startups with a grant of up to ₹4 lakh each, disbursed on a milestone basis per RKVY-RAFTAAR programme guidelines. Beyond the grant, selected teams receive structured incubation at IIT Kanpur, including access to SIIC's facilities, tailored mentorship, and technical validation from domain experts. Students who physically participate in the one-month Agripreneurship Orientation Program are additionally eligible for a stipend of ₹10,000 per month during that period.
The programme is designed to take agritech ideas from the idea stage to the pre-seed stage, with emphasis on problem relevance, innovation potential, and founder commitment rather than on prior traction. The focus sectors span the breadth of agriculture: farm technologies, agri-biotechnology, post-harvest management and value addition, AI and data-driven solutions in agriculture, agri-waste to wealth, farm mechanisation, and agri supply chain and market linkages.
Market access support is a structured component of the programme , selected startups get assistance in piloting and scaling through connections with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), urban local bodies, industries, and farming communities. The programme also facilitates follow-on funding through investor connects and pitch sessions, providing a pathway for teams to raise capital after the grant period.
SIIC IIT Kanpur has an established track record of incubating deep-tech and agritech ventures, and participation in this programme gives student founders direct access to IIT Kanpur's research infrastructure, faculty networks, and the broader RKVY-RAFTAAR government ecosystem , a meaningful launchpad for founders who want to build in the agritech space from the ground up.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) is the startup incubator at IIT Kanpur. It was established in 2000 and now operates under the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), IIT Kanpur. It works from two sites: the IIT Kanpur campus at…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Amount
- Up to ₹4 Lakhs
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
Selected startups receive a milestone-based grant of up to ₹4 lakh (equity-free) for idea-to-pre-seed development. Students physically attending the one-month Agripreneurship Orientation Program receive an additional stipend of ₹10,000 per month. The programme also facilitates follow-on funding access through investor connects and pitch sessions post-incubation.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Cohort size
- 4 startups
- Application fee
- Free
Timelines & Process
Application Fee
Free
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants are evaluated through a structured selection process by the RKVY Incubation Committee and the Selection and Investment Committee. Selection emphasis is placed on strength of idea, problem relevance, innovation potential, and commitment of the founding team rather than on existing traction.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for this programme?
Student agripreneurs (individual or team) from recognised academic institutions with an early-stage idea in agriculture or allied sectors. Registered entities like DPIIT startups and MSMEs may also apply. Incorporation is not mandatory at the application stage.
How much funding is available and how is it disbursed?
Up to ₹4 lakh per startup, disbursed on a milestone basis as per RKVY-RAFTAAR programme guidelines. This is a non-dilutive grant — no equity is taken.
What is the Agripreneurship Orientation Program?
A one-month structured orientation for shortlisted startups covering startup fundamentals, the SIIC IIT Kanpur ecosystem, and relevant technology areas. Students who physically participate receive a stipend of ₹10,000 per month during this period.
How many startups will be selected?
4 startups will be selected for this cohort.
What sectors are eligible?
Agriculture and farm technologies, agri-biotechnology, post-harvest management and value addition, AI/data-driven solutions in agriculture, agri-waste to wealth, farm mechanisation, agri supply chain and market linkages, and other innovations aligned with agriculture and allied sectors.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
